Google begins a limited test of its generative AI tools in Maps

Maps will now include generative AI from Google. Although it’s in early access and restricted to a few locations and Local Guides users, this feature appears to be an intriguing application of technology. In essence, the technology lets you use natural language to interact with the app and find new locations in your city or while exploring our wonderful country.

This is how it operates. Ask the app what you need, e.g., a restaurant that can accommodate your group of friends’ different dietary requirements. As part of its Local Guides programme, the company’s large-language models will evaluate data about over 250 million sites as well as community members’ views. It need to be able to spit out the perfect spot.

The system will function “no matter how specific, niche, or broad your needs might be,” according to Google. The business provides a comprehensive illustration of thrifting in San Francisco. It describes what happens when a user asks the app for suggestions for places to find vintage clothing in the city. The AI models examined neighbouring locations in addition to images, reviews, and ratings from the public. A wide range of options, including image carousels and review summaries, were generated by the programme.

You may go farther as this is generative AI. The software will automatically search for something that matches the vintage feel of the aforementioned store if you ask it to recommend a nice place to eat lunch. Put otherwise, it retains your preferences, as long as they make sense.

Google provides an example of how to use this functionality on the fly by asking the AI for suggestions in the event of an unexpected rain. You can ask follow-up questions to further hone in on the search results. All of this seems quite cool, but since it’s only available to US consumers and in particular places right now, the feature is definitely limited. As early adopters provide sufficient input, it ought to become available in more places.

Naturally, this is not Google’s first experience with AI. The business recently made its AI-powered note-taking tool available to everyone in the US and brought generative AI features to the Chrome browser. Additionally, it is continually improving its chatbot Bard and packing Pixel phones full of artificial intelligence features.